Reading Then and Now by Tracy Krauss

I have been enjoying this month's posts as people reflect on the importance of reading in their lives, often from a young age. I, too, loved books from the time I was a child. My mother used to read REDDY FOX and other Thornton Burgess classics aloud to us at bedtime just as her mother had done. My grandmother was a lover of literature and could recite passages from Longfellow's EVANGELINE along with a variety of other poetry, which was a delight for me, my siblings, and cousins. An older sister introduced me to ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by reading it aloud to me when I was visiting her one summer. I guess you could say books were an integral and important part of my upbringing. 

I was a frequent visitor to our local library, enjoying Ramona, Pippi Longstocking, and many other classics kids' series. I devoured these books, often having to order through Regina's inter-library loans since our small-town library didn't have a complete selection. Then I got introduced to Edgar Rice Burroughs and TARZAN. I read them ALL (more than thirty books in the series) and was almost obsessed. It was my introduction to speculative fiction which mirrored my already keen interest in Star Trek, Lost In Space, and other TV shows in the genre. By my mid-teens, I also started reading romance, usually when I visited my grandparents because I could stay up late into the wee hours reading and no one noticed. I do recall being quite tired the next day... 

These days I find myself reading a lot of fiction by other mid-list authors. I like to be supportive and have found many new favourite authors, including some of our own InScribe members. 

I heard advice once that has stuck with me as far as my reading habits go. I'm not sure who said it, but the recommendation was to have three different books on the go at any given time: one to entertain, one to educate, and one to edify. I love fiction, so finding books to read that 'entertain' isn't a problem. These days, I read a lot about publishing, marketing, or for my job as a teacher, but at different stages of life I read about parenting or homeschooling, so 'education' is easily also covered. The 'edify' category speaks more to spiritual growth, not just educating oneself, so books on prayer, bible studies, and the like hit the mark.  

Entertain, educate, edify... This method keeps my reading balanced. I wrote an entire article about this topic which you can read here: Always Read Three Books At a Time!

I'll end by quoting Emily Dickenson:

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away

Nor any Coursers like a Page

Of prancing Poetry –

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of Toll –

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears the Human Soul

Tracy Krauss continues to read and write from Tumbler Ridge, BC. She is currently serving as InScribe's president. Visit her website for more: fiction on the edge without crossing the line.